Adjunct culture at community college
I’ve been an adjunct instructor at a community college for 3 years now — my first teaching job at the college level. I feel like I am working in a vacuum most of the time, even though I teach in-person classes on campus. I’ve been observed twice in that time. I’ve been allowed to sit in on another professor’s class once. My “community” is my department chair and assistant chair, according to my department chair; all my questions and concerns should go through them. The full-time professors in the department have no idea who I am. I would just like a community of instructors to bounce ideas off of and learn from. I’ve even asked college administration about a casual meetup group for adjuncts college-wide and was told admin handles adjunct meetings.
Is this normal? I just want to have a community that can help me improve my teaching. I love working with the students and want to be able to continue to improve.
I appreciate any input!